But Arsene Wenger is now hoping Sanchez could return for the FA Cup third round tie with Sunderland on Saturday, January 9.

Wenger is likely to make changes again on Saturday against Newcastle with Mathieu Flamini fit after an ankle problem.

Arsenal boss Wenger said: “Certainly we will rotate again. Flamini has a chance to come back and I think Alexis is a bit short. Alexis will be back in one week, maybe against Sunderland. Everybody else in the squad against Bournemouth should be available.”

Return: Flamini could be back in action on Saturday (Photo: Getty Images)

Wenger has seen his team finish 2015 top of the Premier League at the half way stage - and believes they can stay there.

“I’m confident we will fight to stay there. It is a long way to go - we are only halfway,” said Wenger.

“Everybody wants to predict who will win it at halfway and that is unfortunately even for the most intelligent people [that is] impossible.

“I believe that we are mature enough and that we have the requested quality to fight and compete. The most important thing is to feel, at the end of the season, that we have given absolutely everything to be successful.

“After that, if somebody has been better than us, we will accept it, but we want to fight to show that we have a chance.”